Apparatus for manufacturing a metal framing member

Abstract

In one aspect, an apparatus for manufacturing a framing member can include a translation path for transporting a metal sheet. The translation path can include a translation axis, a first set of rollers, which can include a plurality of first bottom rollers and a plurality of first top rollers, the first set of rollers can have a first centerline, and a second set of rollers, which can include a plurality of second bottom rollers and a plurality of second top rollers, the second set of rollers can have a second centerline, line, where the first centerline and the second centerline can extend away from the translation axis at an angle in the direction of translation.

1 . A method of manufacturing a framing member comprising:
 creating a plurality of slits in two pre-web regions of a metal sheet, wherein the metal sheet includes the two pre-web regions, and two leg regions, each being adjacent to the two pre-web regions;   expanding the plurality of slits in at least one of the pre-web regions of the framing member to form a web region, the at least one web region including a web element and at least one web void; and   forming a tubular framing member from the metal sheet, wherein the framing member consists only of the metal sheet.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising expanding the plurality of slits in a second of the pre-web regions of the framing member to form a second web region, the second web region including a web element and at least one web void. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the two expanding steps occur substantially simultaneously. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the two expanding steps occur sequentially. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising reinforcing the pre-web region. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising heating the metal sheet. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the heat is applied locally to the metal sheet. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising translating the sheet along a first axis and expanding the plurality of slits along a second axis. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the angle between the first axis and the second axis is between 5 and 45 degrees. 
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing a framing member comprising:
 creating a plurality of slits in two pre-web regions of a metal sheet, wherein the metal sheet includes the two pre-web regions, and two leg regions, each being adjacent to the two pre-web regions; and   reinforcing the pre-web regions;   heating the metal sheet; and   expanding the plurality of slits in at least one of the pre-web regions of the framing member to form a web region, the at least one web region including a web element and at least one web void.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising expanding the plurality of slits in a second of the pre-web regions of the framing member to form a second web region, the second web region including a web element and at least one web void. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the two expanding steps occur substantially simultaneously. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the two expanding steps occur sequentially. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the heat is applied locally to the metal sheet. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising translating the sheet along a first axis and expanding the plurality of slits along a second axis. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the angle between the first axis and the second axis is between 5 and 45 degrees. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising forming a tubular framing member from the metal sheet, wherein the framing member consists only of the metal sheet.